The slow recovery from COVID-19 is revealing the extent to which global public health programmes have been disrupted. To build back in the context of a drastically changed landscape, countries, the global health community and partners will have to adapt to a new normal.
This message came out clearly during a two-hour virtual discussion on A road map for recovery: why we need the WHO 2030 road map now, more than ever, organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and COVID-19.
Many of the speakers who contributed to drafting the new NTD road map explained how this blueprint for 2021–2030 will promote resilience and support health system strengthening, equity and country ownership.
Dr Ren Minghui, WHO Assistant‐Director, welcomed participants to the inaugural webinar and introduced the first panel discussion.
Essential shifts for post-COVID-19 recovery and 2030 success
The first speaker, Dr Mwelecele Ntuli Malecela, Director, Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, explained how the new road map envisages fundamental shifts that include moving away from vertical, disease-specific approaches to horizontal, cross‐cutting activities and people‐ and community‐centred approaches, and how the pandemic will reshape the fight against NTDs and provide opportunities to build back by working together in strong partnerships.
Dr Nsanzimana Sabin, Director General of Rwanda's Biomedical Centre (who replaced Rwanda’s Minister of Health Dr Daniel Ngamije), described how resilient, decentralized health systems can be adapted in response to pandemics. Dr Sabin said that while focus is on COVID-19, attention must be given to other essential health programmes, such as those for control, elimination and eradication of NTDs.
In a pre‐recorded video message, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, said that the world cannot accept a new normal where progress against NTDs is stalled or reversed, adding that South-East Asia has a rich history of innovation to build from and work with everyone to achieve the goals and targets of the new road map, which is needed now more than ever.
The co-Chair of the Higherlife Foundation, Mrs Tsitsi Masiyiwa, voiced her optimism in Africa's potential to tackle the burden of NTDs and capitalize on the new solidarity fostered by the pandemic. She encouraged the creation of new platforms to promote discussions on locally-led solutions to eliminate NTDs and leverage community ownership, multisectoral engagement and strategic collaboration in tackling NTDs.
Dr Mona Hammami, Senior Director, Office of Strategic Affairs, Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, noted the importance of including NTDs in global health concerns and of the road map's potential to strengthen health systems through integrated, multisectoral approaches including water, sanitation and hygiene. Dr Hammami said while donors are shifting resources to COVID-19, commitment to overcoming NTDs must be reinforced to minimize inequalities.
Dr Matshidisho Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, urged countries to do more to integrate NTD services to achieve synergies. She noted that the new road map puts people and communities at the centre and highlights the need for countries to include NTDs as part of essential health packages, as the same people affected by NTDs are affected also by other diseases.
Partnerships, collaboration and integration for impact: the key to 2030 success
The second panel brought together nine speakers.
Dr Mousab Siddig Elhag, Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Disease Control Directorate in Sudan, commented on how COVID-19 has disrupted work on the ground and on the country’s near readiness for certification as free of dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) transmission.
Dr Charles Mwansambo, Director of Health Services in Malawi, acknowledged the contribution of partners in enabling his country to eliminate lymphatic filariasis.
Dr Neeraj Dhingra, Director, Vector Borne Disease Control Programme in India – where authorities have prioritized the elimination of many NTDs – noted that while the pandemic has affected programme implementation, work must continue.
Dr Leda Hernandez, Division Chief, Infectious Disease Office, National Center for Disease Prevention and Control of the Philippines, spoke of the importance of monitoring and evaluating programmes as a key cross-cutting element in determining the success of NTD programmes.
Dr Wendy Harrison, Chief Executive Officer of the SCI Foundation, reiterated the importance of strong partnerships and the One Health approach.
Ms Helen Hamilton, Senior Policy Analyst on Health and Hygiene at WaterAid, situated the importance and benefits of water, sanitation and hygiene in the fight against NTDs and of the relevance of this approach to ensuring the safety, inclusive care and dignity of those living with NTDs.
Dr Tjandra Yoga Aditama, Senior Advisor, WHO South‐East Asia Region, noted the work in the Region to overcome widespread NTDs including lymphatic filariasis, visceral leishmaniasis and leprosy. He noted that although only a few partners support control and elimination programmes, significant progress has been made in the past few years and more can be achieved with the new road map.
The panel also heard from two pharmaceutical representatives: Rachel Taylor, Director, Corporate Responsibility, Merck & Co., Inc., and Dr Luc Kuykens, Senior Vice President of Sanofi Global Health Programs. Both companies provide donated medicines to treat NTDs and welcome the new shifts planned in the new road map as a path towards sustainability.
An average of 1300 participants attended the inaugural webinar, which was moderated by the broadcaster Ms Patricia Amira.
Click here to view the video recording of the webinar.
The password is: NTD*17June